Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli says sorry over Dynamo Kiev red card
Mario Balotelli has issued a public apology for the moment of madness that could see him axed from Manchester City's team to face Chelsea on Sunday.The Italian striker was sent off for an X-rated challenge on Dynamo Kiev defender Goran Popov as City crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday night, and was later involved in an angry confrontation with Kiev fans. Seeing red: Mario Balotelli was sent off after his wild lunge on Dynamo Kiev's Goran PopovCity boss Roberto Mancini, who branded Balotelli's tackle 'stupid', will fine the player and must now decide whether he can trust the 20-year-old in an even more high-profile game at Stamford Bridge.Balotelli said: 'It was not my intention to hurt anyone, I want to express my sincere apologies to Popov.'I was trying my best for the team as I always do. I never tried to make contact with Popov and I certainly didn't want to hurt him. When will you learn: City team-mate Nigel de Jong has warned Balotelli he must learn from his mistakes'The tackle was poor and I'm very sorry to my team-mates that I got sent off so early in such an important game.'It was not a good way to repay the manager who has shown so much faith in me or the owners and fans who have made me so welcome since I arrived from Italy.'The sending-off was Balotelli's second red card in a short City career, having also picked up nine bookings since signing from Inter Milan for ?23million last summer.Balotelli will receive a one-match European ban but UEFA will wait to see the report from Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir before deciding whether to impose a heavier punishment. Confrontation: A shocked onlooker snapped this picture of Mario Balotelli confronting fans after City's Europa League loss When will you learn? De Jong confronts Balotelli over bad bahaviourFriday Five: The expensive signings who won the battles of the rich kids.All the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Roberto Mancini, Mario Balotelli Places: United Kingdom, Italy